In my time as a chess coach I’ve had many students ask me about different places they can go on the web to improve or enjoy their chess more. I have many answers, but today I thought I would take you through some of the more common and well liked websites that my students have agreed are of use to them. Everybody wants something different from their chess and that’s why there are so many different types of websites out there. Some of them require an e-mail address to create a password and login. Please ask your parents permission before using any website like that and remember that playing chess online means people can chat to you and you can chat to them. Above all be safe in all your web surfing.
News Articles
Chess Puzzle No.2
Here is a position where material is even but White has more aggressively placed pieces whereas Black has a much better pawn structure. The question is which side would you prefer to play. White or Black? It’s White to move.
White to Play. Which side do you prefer?
When you are ready to see the answer… Read more…
Chess Puzzle No. 1
In this position Black has just played 1…Re8. This appears to be a blunder as White can play 2.Bxf7 forking the Queen and the Rook. Should White take the pawn on f7 or does he perhaps have a better move?
White to Play
When you are ready to see the answer Read more…
The Secret of Chess Success
I was at an RJ Shield Tournament the other day and one of the parents asked me what his 10 year-old son had to do to keep improving. He was worried that his son, a promising player, had been playing in a number of tournaments but was not showing continuing signs of improvement.
A few weeks ago we were all surprised by the fantastic result of 15 year-old James Morris who became an International Master after his great result at the Zonal Tournament in Queensland. The question on everyone’s lips was how did James become so strong so young? Perhaps there are some lessons here that could help our worried father. Read more…
How I Became a Chess IM in 7 Days!
I remember how it all started. Mum took me to an RJ Shield chess tournament one Sunday afternoon when I was 8 years old. I scored only 2 points! Look how far I’ve progressed… Read more…
Chess champion chuffed
James Morris in the Glen Eira Leader
The James Morris Interview!
Last week I had the pleasure of meeting Australia’s newest International Master, James Morris, who was doing a week’s work experience at Chess Kids.
James is a pale, young-looking 15 year-old with a keen mind hidden beneath a mop of unruly brown hair. David Cordover and I took James out to lunch and used that opportunity to interview him to find out the story behind his sudden success. Read more…
Building a Chess Fortress
In chess, a fortress is an endgame drawing technique in which the side behind in material sets up a zone of protection around their King that cannot be penetrated by the opponent. The player can then draw merely by passive defense.
